Arkansas WR/RS Adams flying up draft boards

Posted on: November 15, 2011 3:36 pm

Edited on: November 15, 2011 3:38 pm

So much has been made of the bigger, stronger receivers likely to be available in the 2012 draft (like Justin Blackmon, Michael Floyd, Marvin McNutt, etc.) that a few of the undersized speedsters aren't getting the recognition they deserve.

One such example is Arkansas wideout and return specialist Joe Adams.

Adams entered the season on the radar of NFL scouts, but he was viewed as a clear-cut secondary option in the Razorbacks' passing attack behind Greg Childs and Jarius Wright. With Childs struggling through recurring knee problems, however, Adams has stepped to the forefront a bit more, demonstrating the elusiveness and speed to contribute in both roles to an NFL team.

I had hoped to sneak a peek at the Arkansas/Tennessee game Saturday, but wasn't able to do so prior to my Monday morning deadline for the Weekend Review.

In catching two passes for 52 yards and a touchdown as well as returning his third punt for a score this season (and fourth of his career) in a 49-7 thrashing of the Volunteers, however, Adams deserves mentioning.

His punt return in the waning seconds of the first quarter Saturday seemed to deflate the Tennessee sideline. Adams made at least six defenders miss on the return, scoring from 80 yards out. The three punt returns this season by Adams leads the NCAA and earned him Special Teams Player of the Week honors from the SEC.